Bridge player, poorest having lost pounds (4)

I believe the answer is:

east

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'bridge player' is the definition.
(name given to one player in the card game bridge)

I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for east that I've seen before include "Bearing of ninety degrees" , "Ninety degree bearing" , "Direction taken when going from the US towards Ireland" , "E" , "Tom's schoolfellow" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian and The Telegraph.

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